For The Love of Water (FLOW) is a summary of news from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.

With heavy rain expected in the Chicago area today, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) encourages area residents and business owners to reduce water use during and after the storm to help prevent flooding and protect water quality.

Chicagoans reported seeing water gushing from the city’s sewers after heavy rains Monday. The phenomenon has become increasingly common as heavier rainfall due to climate change stresses aging infrastructure.

Oak Lawn officials celebrated Tuesday progress on the construction of a stormwater detention basin near Polaris Intermediate School while raising concerns about a Nicor gas main replacement project that’s also underway. The cost is being split between the village and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District.

Monday’s storm was the latest in a season of wild and erratic weather. Hail and high winds added to the heavy downpours (Evanston received 3 inches of rain, according to some reports) that once again put the region’s stormwater management system to the test. Although the headlines weren’t as dramatic as they were after four rounds of severe storms swept through the area over the July Fourth weekend — “Deep Tunnel almost full” — by Tuesday morning, the McCook Reservoir was at 85% capacity.

On "In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons," reporters discuss recent rain events and the Metropolitan water reclamation District of greater Chicago's Tunnel and Reservoir Plan storing approximately 4.7 billion gallons of water.